Why This Sioux Falls Family Says Hiring a Doula Was Life-Changing

Clients Jordin and Logan share with Keloland about their birthing experience with doula Kelsie

Keloland Story by: Tom Hanson,Posted: Apr 16, 2025

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — This is Neely. She came into this world 8 months ago. She keeps dad Logan and Mom Jordin busy and entertained. “It’s just been so fun to watch her develop into the person she is now, she develops new levels to her personality every day, said Logan. “She is so close to crawling so that will be a whole new adventure once that happens,” said Jordin.

Other than mom and dad, the first people to hold Neeley after she was born was Kelsie Thomas. Logan and Jordan hired her to be their Doula. “A doula is someone who rounds out the care team, who provides information, physical and emotional support,” said Thomas. Support for both mom and dad, “During labor, you know we had studied a lot, done a lot of research, she had prepared us but there is just no fully preparing once you are in the moment so having her there to help guide us every step of the way was so important, said Jordin.

Logan says he appreciated Kelsie’s ability to communicate with hospital staff and ask for resources he didn’t know were available to them. “Guiding me on how to keep Jordan comfortable while we were in the midst of it and like keeping me calm because it is an intense experience,” said Logan.

Jordan says having Kelsie as their doula helped them experience Neely’s birth in a deeper way.

“Honestly, the most beautiful intimate experience that we’ve ever experienced and her support helped Logan support, be there to support me and be fully present so it helped deepen our relationship too with me and my husband,” said Jordin.

Kelsie also kept the grandparents up to date as complications set in after 18 hours of labor and an eventual C-section.

While doula services are increasingly recognized for their benefits, insurance coverage remains inconsistent. However, as of January 1, 2025, Medicaid in South Dakota now provides coverage for doula services at birth and during the postpartum period. “Postpartum that doula role can look like coming into the home, helping with feeding, with sleeping with care, with light housework, whatever it is that can help you do better,” said Thomas.

Logan and Jordan say other couples should consider hiring their own doula. “I do not know what I would have done without her there honestly, it would have been incredibly difficult,” said Logan.

“I would never give birth without a doula, we will definitely have a doula for everyone of our babies,” said Jordan.

Doula’s are not medical staff, however they should be certified, which requires course work.